Chavez opponent barred from elections in Venezuela

The Associated Press

Another opponent of President Hugo Chavez has been barred from running in congressional elections by Venezuela's top anti-corruption official.

Gustavo Azocar, a journalist-turned-politician who had planned to run in September, is the latest in a series of candidates kept out of the race by Comptroller General Clodosbaldo Russian, an ally of Chavez.

Azocar called his exclusion Saturday illegal.

Azocar was recently sentenced to more than two years in prison for alleged fraud involving his publicity company and a state-run lottery. He denies any wrongdoing and has appealed.

Azocar learned he was barred shortly before the Saturday night deadline for candidates to register for the National Assembly elections.